"WITNESSING CHEST"
Episode #11
FADE IN:
INT. book - dAY
Narrator
In a land before time, far, far away there was a legendary kingdom called Sugarland.                          Its people were gentle and kind...             
CUT TO:
EXT. town square - dAY
People are gathered around as two citizens of Sugarland, Jacob and Korbin discuss monies lend and borrowed.
Nanna (O.S.)
Everybody, play nice together. 
Jacob
Give me my money, I want my money!
Korbin
What money? Why are you lying?
Both wives not get into it as well.
Rosa
I hope you won't live to enjoy it. 
Roseanne
Money? I hope you won't live. You wretched woman, what money?
Crowd
Give him his money... What money? 
Korbin
What money, he's lying!
CROWD
Give him his money...
NarRATOR
Well, well. What's going on here? Hello! I'm talking to you ladies and gentleman. 
Nanna
(to narrator)
And what is your exact claim? Tell me right now...
NARRATOR
I was telling everybody how friendly and kind the people of Sugarland are. Am I wrong? What's going on? 
Jacob
What gentle and kind? He's borrowed money from me, but doesn't want to return it. 
Korbin
You know what. If you have any proof, let's go to the judge. 
Crowd
Good idea... yeah, better go see the judge... 
Jacob
What? If there's no other way. Okay, we'll make a complaint to the judge. Let's go. 
NaRRATOR
Can somebody tell me what's going on. Hello! Anybody there? Well then let's go see the Judge and see for ourselves. 
CUT TO:
INT. judge's chambers - lATER
The judge discusses a deal with the tea master in private.
TEAMASTER
But, judge. I have no proof and agreement in place, but maybe if I was to offer you a little something...
JuDGE
What proof. What witness. What agreement. I see nothing... 
TEAMASTER
Thank you so much judge. You are so gracious.... I'm telling the wife all the time hoe gracious you are... great man you are.... I can't stop talking....
JUDGE
Not at all. Remember, we don't need witnesses.... Huh?  
Jacob, Korbin and the rest of the town folk arrive, as the judge tries to make senses of it all.
Jacob
He won't pay me back.
Korbin
I wish to make a complaint. 
Rosa
You scoundrel, may you never live to enjoy the money. 
Roseanne
Watch what you say. You call these few coins 'money'?
JuDGE
What's going on here?... Quiet. I said quiet.... Quiet I said.... 
Jacob
Your honor, your honor help me. Get my money back from this swindler. 
Korbin
Your honor, I am suing him. This man has defamed me. 
JudGE
Quiet, quiet. Now let me see. Who wishes to make a complaint? Huh?
Jacob
I do, I do...
Korbin
No, I do, I do...
JuDGE
Okay, enough.... And who is the accused?
Crowd
Him... Him... 
Nanna
Now, I'm confused. Which one was it? Do you know?
cheerful old man
No, I'm confused too.
JudGE
OK! Quiet. You can't both be the accused and the accuser. Tell me what's happened. First starting with you.
Jacob
Your honor, your honor, last year, Korbin the Painter came to my house.... and he.....
CUT TO:
EXT. Jacob's house - dAY (flashback)
Korbin arrives at Jacob's house and knocks on the door.
Korbin
Jacob, Jacob... My friendly neighbor... Hi there!
Jacob
Hello. Hello, nice to see you. So tell me, how is the dying business?
Korbin
Don't even mention the dying business. It's a total dead mess. I have decided to... to become a businessman. My plan is to import spices from the island of Tambora.
Jacob
Congratulations.
Korbin
Thanks. I wanted to ask you for two favors. 
Jacob
Two, well? What are they?
Korbin
First, while I am gone, please look after my beautiful, love of my life, soul mate wife.  
Rosa
She's most welcome. Not a problem at all. 
Korbin
And the second favor. If you could lend me just 200 coins so I can buy... spices, whatever profit I make, I will split with you. 
Jacob
Spices, huh. Well? But I only have 100 coins. 
Korbin
No problem at all. The 100 will be enough. 
Roseanne
Dear Rosa. You have no idea. Since Korbin has decide to go on this trip, Oh, I'm so worried. 
Jacob
Good luck to you. I know you'll be very, very successful. 
Korbin
No problem at all... Jacob. I will pay you back very soon hahaha... 
BACK TO:
INT. jUDGE'S CHAMBERS - dAY (present day)
Jacob
And, so I gave him the 100. He went on his trip and made a lot of money. But every time I want to get my money back, he would say...
CUT TO:
EXT. Market square - dAY (flashback)
Korbin
Ah, ya.... I haven't sold any spices today. Go and come back next month. 
CUT TO:
EXT. mARKET SQUARE - dAY (flashback - one month later)
Jacob
The month is over. Give me my money back. 
Korbin
I don't have it. Ya, come back in two months. 
CUT TO:
EXT. mARKET SQUARE - dAY (flashback - two months later)
Jacob
It's winter now. I have to fix the roof. When are you going to pay me back?
Korbin
Oh, Jacob... Import/export is not like that, my friend. Come back in two months, your money will be ready. 
Jacob (O.C.)
And when I went back to get my money, he said...
CUT TO:
EXT. mARKET SQUARE - dAY (flashback - two months later)
Korbin
Money? What Money? Roseanne, what is this man talking about? Did he ever give me any money? 
Roseanne
What money, Korbin?
Jacob
Huh? So you don't even acknowledge that I lent you anything? 
Jacob turns to his wife for support.
Jacob (CONT'D)
(to Rosa)
Rosa! Didn't we lent 100 coins to them?
Rosa
Of course we did. I hope those two won't live to spend it. 
Jacob
People! Help me! This guy won't pay me back. Help me! Help me! Help me...
BACK TO:
INT. jUDGE'S CHAMBERS - dAY (present day)
Korbin
He's lying, your honor....
JuDGE
Okay, Okay, why don't you tell me your version of things. 
Korbin
These are false accusations.... Look, your honor, this poor guy is my neighbor. Every so often he comes and borrows money from us. And never pays them back. Until the day he came to me and said...
FADE TO:
EXT. Korbin's house - dAY (flashback)
Jacob and Rosa stand with Korbin in front of his house.
Jacob
Please! Just lend us another 100 coins! Please? 
Korbin
Come on! I'm tired of this. This time around, there is no more money. 
Jacob
What? No money? If you don't do as I ask, I will destroy your reputation. Rosa! Let's start! 
Rosa
People! Help... He is not paying us back... This guy took our money and won't pay it back... someone help, please... please! Please help us get our money back....
Jacob
People! Help... He is not paying us back... This guy took our money and won't pay it back... someone help, please... please! Please help us get our money back....
BACK TO:
INT. jUDGE'S CHAMBERS - dAY (present day)
Jacob
He's lying, your honor. 
Korbin
No, you're the liar. 
Rosa
He's lying your honor. 
Roseanne
You are the lying one. 
Crowd
He's lying... No, he's lying... They're both lying...
JuDGE
Quiet. I said quiet. First, I have to think it through... 

JUDGE (CONT'D)

You said you lend money to this guy. So you must have a document or a witness for your claim. Let's see it. When you lend him the money, did he make an receipt for it? 
Jacob
No, your honor. I didn't have any idea he wouldn't pay me back. 
JUDGE
And when you were lending the money, was there any witnesses around? Tell me... tell me...
Jacob
Well... No, sir. There was no one around.... 
JUDGE
Well, then because you have no receipt, and no witnesses, then your claim is not acceptable. 
Jacob
Huh? But, what about my money?
DumDum arrives riding his stick donkey.
DumDum
Sir, I can present you with a witness.
JuDGE
How dare you! How dare you just jump into my court like this?
DumDum
I've brought my trusted donkey here to graze. Ha, ha, ha.... 
The crowd laughs at Dumdum's answer.
Crowd
(laughing)
Ha, ha, ha, ha....
JUDGE
Quiet everybody. And you, fool. Get out! 
DumDum
But I want to bring the witnessing chest to provide evidence. 
JUDGE
Huh. What is a 'witness chest? Huh?
DumDum
It's a special chest that finds out who's the liar. 
The crowd once again react to Dumdum's response.
Crowd
Let him do it... He's a fool... don't believe him...
Nanna
I've have never seen anything like it. Ever...
JuDGE
Throw this crazy fool out. 
Jacob
Why? It doesn't matter. I'm already ruined. Let him bring his chest. Maybe the chest can help me. Help me now, please! 
Nanna
He's right! Now that there are no witnesses, maybe the chest can do something. 
KELTON
Come on... Let him do it...
JudGE
Quiet. I said quiet! Okay. Although I know there is no chest, I will allow you to bring it in, alright? 
DumDum
Ha ha ha.. Tomorrow morning come to the town square. The witnessing chest will tell us who is lying and who is telling the truth. 
NaRRATOR
The next day everyone gathered in town square to see the mysterious chest that is able to tell a liar from an honest man. 
CUT TO:
EXT. tOWN SQUARE - dAY (next day)
The town folk including the judge are gathered awaiting the arrival of the chest.
Kids (O.S.)
This is heavy... Yes, it is! Help us... We can make it....
Dumdum rides past the chest to meet the town folk.
DumDum
Ha ha ha.. And here is the witnessing chest. That's good enough. Right here. 
Nanna
I never would of guessed it! A witnessing box? You mean this is going to tell us who is lying?
JuDGE
What is this foolishness? How do you want to judge a case using this chest?
DumDum
Both Jacob and Korbin must take the chest on their shoulders and carry it around the square 10 times!
Korbin
HA ha ha, Not a problem!
DumDum
Not so fast. If you are lying, you won't finish your turn with the chest. Okay! Let's start!
Jacob
Oh, Oh, Oh,it's heavy...
Crowd
Good for you... Come on, faster... Two lapses... three lapses.... Four lapses... 
Rosa
I can't ... go anymore. I am so tired. 
Jacob
Oh, Oh, Oh I am tired too. I am dying. Look what they have an old man do. 
Crowd
Six lapses... 
Jacob and Rosa drop the chest.
Nanna
Hmm... They couldn't. Does that mean they're lying? 
Korbin
Ha ha ha. Ya... See for yourself. The chest shows they were lying, right? 
DumDum
Now, it's your turn. 
Korbin
Why? When they can't finish their round, that means we are right. 
DumDum
No. This exercise is not finished until you carry the chest too. 
Korbin
Fine. Not a problem at all... Roseanne, let's go. We are much stronger than them...  
Crowd
Faster. Faster! One laps... Two lapses... Three lapses... four lapses... 
Korbin and Roseanne drop the chest at the judge's feet.
Korbin
That's that. See we are right, judge? I want to file a complaint against Jacob for defamation. 
Jacob
WHAT! What kind of chest is this?
Nanna
Right. What kind of a chest is it? 
DumDum
Now we listed to what the chest has to say. 
Nanna
You mean it speaks? Like a witness?
Kid #1
Gary, is that you? Step out!
Fat Kid
Huh, haha.. Is it finished? How much fun was that? Let's do it again! 
Kid #2
I envy you. Tell me, what happened? Come on, tell me.
Korbin
Who the heck is this?
Fat Kid
I'm Gary. Nice to meet you. 
Nanna
Why did you have this kid in the chest, then? Not a nice thing to do. 
Jacob
Ah ha! Really! That's why it was so heavy. 
Roseanne
Oh... What a stupid game this is! 
DumDum
Okay, now. Everybody quiet. Gary is going to tell us what he heard, go ahead. 
Fat Kid
OK, so like, so like, like when Jacob and Rosa were carrying me in the chest...
CUT TO:
EXT. mARKET SQUARE - DAY (FLASHBACK)
Crowd
Faster... Faster...
Rosa
Look what they're making us do. Why on earth did we lend those people the money?
Jacob
Don't worry. The truth will take care of us. Somehow we will be victorious. 
Rosa
Oh... I'm so tired. I can't anymore. 
FAT Kid
Oh, my head! Wow..
CUT TO:
EXT. mARKET SQUARE - dAY (present day)
FAT Kid
 ... That was something
Kid #2
Then what happened? Huh?
Fat Kid
Then? It was turn Korbin and his wife's turn, and ah.... 
CUT TO:
EXT. mARKET SQUARE - DAY (FLASHBACK)
Roseanne
Wow! How heavy is this thing. 
Korbin
Stop your nagging. Think about how easy we made the 100 coins.  
Roseanne
It's not my business. I can't breathe anymore. 
Korbin
Come on, hold it a bit longer. If I know we could rip him off that easily, I would've borrowed more money from this guy! With these simple minded folks, and a moronic judge, we'll strike it rich fast. Okay, and that makes 10 laps. 
BACK TO:
EXT. mARKET SQUARE - day (present day)
JuDGE
So! You're calling me a moron... Huh! Huh? 
Korbin
(panic/nervous)
No, your honor, he lies. I mean, I 
Apologize. 
JudGE
Guard, take 200 coins instead of 100 from this lying cheater! And throw him in jail for the night, so he will learn not to insult a judge. 
CROWD
Ha, ha, ha, ha.....
NaRRATOR
Ha ha ha, so! That's how the witnessing chest works! I would have never guessed it in a million years. It's time to go, and it's time to close the book on this story. Till another day and another story, and remember, be friendly and kind to one and all. 

THE END.